Devil Diver (KY)

Bred and campaigned by Greentree Stable, Devil Diver overcame a foot defect to thrive at a variety of distances under demanding weight assignments.

Inducted

1980

Foaled

1939

Sire

St. Germans

Dam

Dabchick

Damsire

Royal Minstrel

Breeder

Greentree Stable

Owner

Greentree Stable

Trainer

John M. Gaver, Sr.

Career

1941-1945

Earnings

$261,064

Racing Record

47

Starts

Year	Starts	First	Second	Third	Earnings
Year	Sts	1	2	3	$
1941	12	4	7	1	$65359 $65,359
1942	9	4	1	1	$10535 $10,535
1943	9	4	1	0	$48900 $48,900
1944	12	7	1	1	$64265 $64,265
1945	5	3	2	0	$72005 $72,005

Biography

Bred and campaigned by Greentree Stable, Devil Diver overcame a foot defect to thrive at a variety of distances under demanding weight assignments.

As a 2-year-old in 1941, Devil Diver won the Sanford Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, and Breeders’ Futurity Stakes, compiling a record of 4-7-1 from 12 starts and earnings of $65,359. Devil Diver was then overshadowed by his Greentree stablemate, Shut Out, as a 3-year-old in 1942. While Shut Out won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, Devil Diver’s only significant victory for the year was the Phoenix Handicap, in which he defeated Triple Crown winner Whirlaway.

As a 4-year-old in 1943, Devil Diver won the Carter, Toboggan, Metropolitan, and Brooklyn handicaps, defeating Shut Out in the latter three. With a seasonal record of 4-1-0 from nine starts and earnings of $48,900, Devil Diver was named Champion Handicap Horse by Daily Racing Form.

Devil Diver enjoyed another strong campaign in 1944. He defeated Shut Out in the Toboggan (carrying 134 pounds), and won the Metropolitan (carrying 134 pounds), American Legion (carrying 136 pounds), and Paumonok (carrying 130 pounds) under heavy weight. He also won the Whitney Handicap, Wilson Stakes, and the Manhattan Handicap. Devil Diver posted a record of 7-1-1 from 12 starts and earnings of $64,265 to be named Champion Handicap Horse by both Daily Racing Form and Turf and Sport Digest.

In 1945, Devil Diver won the Metropolitan Handicap for the third consecutive year, something no other horse had ever accomplished. He also won the Suburban and Paumonok handicaps. In the Suburban, Devil Diver carried 132 pounds to victory, 13 more than second-place finisher Stymie.

Devil Diver injured a foot during a workout on Aug. 1, 1945, and was retired with a career record of 22-12-3 from 47 starts and earnings of $261,064. He sired 18 stakes winners and died in 1961 at the age of 22.